This thing called "Ministry" (Part 3)

I began something I intend to finish it! Several weeks ago I mentioned that I wanted to evaluate what "ministry" is through the book of 1 Corinthians and as we see Paul flesh it out. (Part 1 and Part 2) So let me progress into a third passage in 1 Corinthians.

To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.
(1 Corinthians 4:11-16)

Paul is not complaining, neither is he hinting that this is the lifestyle that these Corinthian believers must adhere to. What he is addressing is the contrast to their attitude of superiority. They have become "puffed up" and filled with knowledge to the point of having big heads in spiritual matters. They are filled with pride and arrogance and so much so that they are forgetting their heritage. Paul is their "spiritual father."

There are two sides to this that I see in a very non-commentary fashion. Paul warns them of arrogance and forgetfulness. He warns them of the dangers of lauding themselves as being better or more spiritual by having all these gifts and abilities. Paul is still dealing with them as babes in Christ and even as "carnal." (3:1) He is doing his duty as their "father" to alert them to their failures.

That leads me to see the second aspect. Paul's ministry included correction and "big head popping." He wanted to bring them down to see that life is about ministry and loving your fellow believers. As we saw earlier in vs. 1-2, Paul was a minister, a servant, a slave of God's vocational calling. He was a steward of the mysteries of God's magnificent Gospel. Paul is alerting his "spiritual children" of their duty to serve.

But note v. 16 - "Be imitators of me." Wow! Can I honestly call my people up and say, "Hey, by the way, if you have a problem or need to figure out how you should be living this Christian life, then just do it as I do!" I don't think so. But as a minister of the gospel and as a pastor, teacher, and steward of God's truth, I should strive to be so.

How are we doing, "MINISTERS?" Are we an example, a servant, a leader by service rather than by demand? Are we encouraging right living by living right in front of our fellow believers? How about when they are not looking? We need to remember that this thing called ministry is.... become(ing) as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. (1 Corinthians 4:13)

Love your people! Serve your people! They are your "spiritual children." Be then a father to them and demonstrate the compassion that our loving heavenly Father has lavished upon them. Minister!